If you dress appropriately, there’s little reason to slow your golf down during the winter months. Back in the day, some chunky knitwear and your—let’s face it—non-waterproof waterproofs were never going to inspire much confidence or warmth.
However, winter golf clothing has come a long way since then. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of our favourite winter golf clothing essentials that’ll keep you on the course even on the coldest of days.
What to wear for golf in winter
Waterproof golf shoes
If you’re going to skimp on budget anywhere with your golf clothing, don’t make it on your shoes.
For whatever reason, the term 'waterproof' often fails to live up to its label when it comes to golf shoes. But a good pair of waterproof golf shoes can make all the difference to your comfort and performance.
There isn't much worse than trudging through the rough at the 1st, only to emerge with wet feet that won’t get any drier over the course. So, treat yourself to a pair of quality shoes, such as Ecco or FootJoy, and it’ll give you the impetus to get out there this winter.
Snood
A snood might be the most underrated piece of winter golf clothing. They only came into most pro shops in recent years, but they're an absolute necessity in cold weather.
Snoods are versatile, unintrusive, and cover up the last bit of your body that’s generally left exposed.
Heated belt
G-Tech produces a heated hand warmer pouch that is off-the-charts fantastic. It has different settings of warmth and is also used by NFL stars when the temperatures drop.
Cold hands make playing golf extremely difficult, but a hand warmer can fix that problem in seconds. It clips on easily, and you can swivel it around when you're swinging. It's one of the most comforting golf accessories you can invest in.
Mittens
If your budget won’t allow for a heated hand warmer, at least make sure you have a snug pair of golf mittens. Check the sizing, though, as 'one size fits all' rarely works out for golfers as they float around your hands. Try before you buy, and make sure they fit like a glove!
Beanie
Beanie hats are many golfer’s favourite winter wardrobe addition. Be it a bobble hat or whatever your personal choice, any visit to a new or particularly memorable course often begins or ends with a visit to the shop for a souvenir beanie.
It might not be true that we lose most of our heat through our heads, but it is true that you’ll feel a lot better about things if you can keep your head warm.
Compression skins
Compression gear is another winter golf essential for those cold rounds. They can help enhance blood flow and deliver oxygen to your muscles more efficiently, which can reduce fatigue during play.
Ideally, your compression skins should be breathable and not overly clingy. Otherwise, they may feel uncomfortable while you’re playing, and nobody wants that.
Socks
Treat yourselves to a decent pair of golf socks for the winter, as there are few things that offer the same level of instant satisfaction as slipping your feet into a pair of socks that you know will a) be well-cushioned and give you a better fit, and b) wick away any moisture while you’re playing.
Mid-layers
Mid-layers come in various formats and are designed to provide warmth, insulation, and comfort without restricting your movement. They are made from stretchable fabrics and are ideally slim-fit so that you can layer up on top of them.
Wearing mid-layers in the winter is a great way to ensure you stay warm but still have a full range of motion in the swing.
Non-premium gloves
You don’t need a premium leather glove in the winter. Instead, consider a winter pair that will keep your hands warm and enhance your grip.
Unlike most standard golf gloves, winter gloves come in pairs, so both hands are kept warm. The FootJoy WinterSof gloves, in particular, have an extended cuff to add an extra layer of comfort.
More winter golf essentials
That might be your winter golf clothing sorted, but there are plenty of other aspects of your game and gear that you can adapt for the colder months.
Here are a couple of extra non-clothing-related winter golf essentials.
Balls
If ammunition is a concern, save your ProV1s and TP5s for when the weather picks up. Yes, the premium balls are the best in any weather, but you won’t need that greenside control when it's wet, and the greens are three months into another cold winter.
There are some fantastic mid-range balls that won’t leave you short on distance, and you might want to consider a ball that’s higher launching than normal as you're not going to get much run.
For example, balls like the Srixon Q Star Tour will not only save you a few quid, but you might even come out of winter with a new favourite ball.
Half set
There’s hardly any need to carry all 14 clubs around with you in winter, so you might want to limit yourself to seven clubs instead. Not only will this be easier to carry, but it’ll also improve your shot creativity and understanding and give the course a rest from the buggy.
You'll be amazed at how light your golf bag can be if you lose half the clubs (and all those unnecessary balls). Only carrying half the normal amount of clubs will help to stimulate your golfing brain, as you won't always have the right club, and you won't always be playing the same club to the same par 3s—so you’ll have to think on your feet a little more.
If there’s one winter golf tip that can't be stressed enough, it’s to club up and hit at least one more club than usual.
Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care
Now that your winter golf clothing is sorted, you may want to consider protecting yourself and your stuff with specialist golf insurance, too.
With Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500 and Public Liability up to £10m so you can worry less and concentrate on your game more.
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